What is a Materials Recovery Facility?

A materials recovery facility (MRF) is a specialized plant that
receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for sale to
end-user manufacturers. It is important that the materials which
come out of the MRF are clean, properly sorted and relatively free of
impurities.

How It Works

Step 1: It All Starts with YOU!

You begin by preparing your recyclables (e.g., you rinse bottles and
jars, flatten cardboard) and place them out at the curb.

Step 2: Materials are Collected and Delivered to a MRF

Recycling crews drive through your neighborhood and collect the
materials. They transport the materials to a MRF where they are weighed
and offloaded onto the floor.

Step 4: Materials are Sorted The conveyors go past semi-automated sorting lines. In this process,
workers remove debris and sort the materials by size and type. In
addition to hand sorting, materials undergo both simple and complex
automated processes. For example, a density blower separates glass
containers from plastic and aluminum. While an overhead magnet is used to
remove steel cans from other recyclables.

Step 5: Recyclables are Prepared for Transport Once recyclables have gone through all of the necessary sorting
processes, they are prepared for transport. Some materials (i.e.,
plastics, metal cans) are compressed into large dense cubes or bales.
They can then be sold to intermediate processors and manufacturers for
use in making new products.

Step 6: Recyclables are Manufactured into New Products

Often, the materials are remanufactured into their original form. For
example, aluminum cans are shred into small chips, melted, rolled, and
cut into new cans. In some cases, however, the new product bears no
resemblance to the original item. For example, plastic bottles can be
used to make clothing.

Step 7: Recyclables are Sold Following production, packaging and shipping, the new products are
placed on store shelves where they are sold to consumers.

As you can see, you play an important role in the beginning as well as
the end of the recycling process. Learn more about Buying Recycled Products.